Valacyclovir pharmacokinetics and exploratory pharmacodynamics in young adults with epstein-barr virus infectious mononucleosis

Heather E. Vezina, Henry H. Balfour, Dennis R. Weller, Bruce J. Anderson, Richard C. Brundage

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection often results in infectious mononucleosis and is associated with serious sequelae. No treatment is approved for EBV infection, and an antiviral intervention would be significant. The objectives of this study are to characterize the pharmacokinetics and explore the pharmacodynamics of acyclovir in plasma and oral washings of 8 subjects receiving 7 days of valacyclovir 1500 mg twice daily for EBV infectious mononucleosis. Virologic and clinical responses are assessed over 12 days. Acyclovir is measured by liquid chromatography/ ultraviolet detection. EBV DNA is quantitated by TaqMan polymerase chain reaction. NONMEM VI and linear regression are used for data analysis. Acyclovir profiles in plasma and oral washings are consistent with a 1-compartment model. Final model estimates of clearance, volume of distribution, and fraction of acyclovir in oral wash supernatant are 49.9 L/h, 74.1 L, and 1.14%, respectively. The quantity of EBV DNA in oral washings and blood, and the severity of illness, measured by a graded scale, decrease during treatment. After treatment, viral rebound occurs in oral washings but not in blood, and the severity of illness continues to decline. Acyclovir pharmacokinetic parameters do not correlate with response metrics. These results support further studies of valacyclovir for EBV infectious mononucleosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)734-742
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Clinical Pharmacology
Volume50
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010

Keywords

  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Infectious mononucleosis
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Valacyclovir

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